The Hottest Toys to Buy -Before- the 2018 Holiday Rush

As a gal who was always slower to give up her tie to certain toys and games (can’t take my Lego though), I’m always fascinated by what kids today might be or choose to play with. As the leaves change and the stores start hanging those holiday ornaments, I can’t help but picture parental shopping to look like a scene out of Jingle All The Way.

Don’t get stuck in lines, or waiting 20 minutes for a parking spot. If you already shop online, let’s save you the sold out or on backorder status.

The Hottest Toys for 2018

Hello, Hatchibabies!

That’s right. From the makers of Hatchimals comes their latest release, as revealed via The Ellen Degeneres Show on Hatchimals Day, HatchiBabies! Take the hatching of the original hatchimals and add the caretaking of various animatronic dolls or your old Tamigotchi and you’ve got the concept of a HatchiBaby. Kids can play games with him or her like ‘bouncy baby!” and “find my toes” while also playing with included “hidden” accessories like a brush, bottle, rattle and cuddle buddy. The HatchiBaby can sit in its included high chair and will respond to your child feeding, burping, snuggling or tickling it.

Spark Ultra Scooter

Fun fact, I still have, and ride, my Razor Scooter but it’s not as fancy as the Spark Ultra Scooter. Durable and foldable like its previous models, the latest from Razor includes flashy LED lights in the wheels and a “spark bar” that, well, sparks when pressed on with one’s foot.

Recommended by retail for Ages 8+. Additional replaceable spark cartridges are sold separately.

Incredibles 2 Jack-Jack Attacks

The whole family might fight to hold this one. Stuff a stocking, or the tree, with Jack Jack Attacks, an interactive Incredibles 2 doll you can’t not love when you look at him.

He babbles, he giggles and yes, he sadly cries. Complete with pet racoon, glowing laser eyes, red & yellow flashes and spark sounds, all you gotta do to explore his mighty wee powers is poke his bellybutton.

Bring on the Video Games

If you have a gamer kid who leans to the “Mature” rating side, they might be asking for something called COD for Christmas. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 released this fall, and it’s going to be a hot gift for kids and adult across the age spectrum. (When I was their non-mature-rating age, I played Neopets, Sims and Rollercoaster Tycoon, ‘memba them?!).

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Toy Pet Playset

Have a youngin’ between 3-6? Let their creativity flourish early with this adorable, nice-to-touch pet playset from Crayola. With 1 cat, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit, a wee scrub tub w/ brush and washable markers, these pets can be changed in colour and design over and over again with ease!

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts™ Great Hall

Okay, even I want to build this one! Kids can play out so many of their favourite scenes with this 4-level building kit. Character-wise, it comes with Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™, Hermione Granger™, Draco Malfoy™, Susan Bones, Professor McGonagall™, Professor Quirrell with dual Lord Voldemort™ face, Hagrid™, Albus Dumbledore™ and Nearly Headless Nick, plus buildable Basilisk and Fawkes™ creatures, and Hedwig™ and Scabbers™ figures.

Wizardry accessories include boat w/ hanging lantern, tables, the head table, fireplace, house banners, food pieces, “floating” candles, wands, the Mirror of Erised, the Sorting Hat and much more.

The Whomping Willow is sold separately, but I like my Lego car intact anyway.

This Hogwarts Great Hall set is available through Indigo Online ($129.99)

& As Always

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